Empress Wang (王皇后, personal name unknown) (8 BC –
AD 23), formally Empress Xiaoping (孝平皇后), formally during her father
Wang Mang's
Xin DynastyDuchess Dowager of Ding'an (定安太后) then Princess Huanghuang (黃皇室主) was an
empress during the
Han Dynasty -- the last of the Western Han Dynasty—who was the daughter of the eventual usurper Wang Mang. Her husband was
Emperor Ping. She is largely viewed by historians as a tragic figure, the victim of circumstances, who tried to remain loyal to her husband of only a few years, but whose faithfulness eventually forced her to let herself die at the end of her father's reign.[clarification needed]

Family background

Empress Wang was born in 8 BC, to Wang Mang and his wife
Lady Wang, the daughter of Wang Xian (王咸) the Marquess of Yichun. By the time of her birth, her father had resigned from his powerful position as commander of the armed forces, which he held under his cousin
Emperor Cheng and briefly under Emperor Cheng's successor and nephew
Emperor Ai. Her father was hated by Emperor Ai's grandmother
Grand Empress Dowager Fu. However, in 1 BC, after Emperor Ai's death, Wang Mang's aunt
Grand Empress Dowager Wang seized power back from Emperor Ai's male favorite (and probable lover)
Dong Xian and recalled Wang Mang to serve as regent to her stepgrandson, the young Emperor Ping.